William hodgsoet



W. HODGSON.

DIAPHRAGM FOR REGULATORS.

APPLICATION EILED JAN.29, I919.

1,8 6 1 ,72, Patented. Dec. 7, 1920.

WvZizess es UNITE WILLIAM HODGSON, 013 NEW YORK, N. Y.

DIAPHRAGM FOR REGULATORS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM Honeson, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Bronx, county of Bronx, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diaphragms for Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to elastic resilient metallic diaphragms such as used in the type of regulator set forth in my concur rent application Eerial No. 273,905 bearing even date of filing herewith. As therein stated, these diaphragms, for the purpose of attaining a maximum of strength and flexibility combined with sensitiveness and responsiveness to fluctuation in fluid pressure, are made of relatively thin elastic resilient material, preferably copper, and are also preferably corrugated for reinforcement. Hence these diaphragms are somewhat fragile in character and easily distorted or rup tured if subjected to unusual or rough treatment.

The object of my present invention is not only to strengthen and safeguard the diaphragm as a whole, but also to adapt it, as a special and. separate article of manufacture, for use as a replacement for worn out diaphragms for which it may be readily substituted without the aid of skilled labor. To this end I form my improved diaphragm with a marginal reinforcement which is larger in cross section than the thickness of the diaphragmatic sheet itself, thereby rendering the diaphragm practically rigid peripherally without impairing the elasticity and resilience of the main, medial portion thus framed, as it were, within a rim of sufiicient strength to maintain the requisite shape of the diaphragm during packing, trans portation and manipulation, if treated with reasonable care.

Furthermore this permanent peripheral reinforcement of the diaphragm not only adapts it for independent transportation Specification of Letters Batent,

Patented Dec. "1, 1920.

Application filed January 29, 1919. Elerial No. 273,904.

and manipulation as a replacement, but the rim head, when the diaphragm is incorporated into the structure of the regulator, also further performs the function of the annular gripping member set forth in my said concurrent application for patent, in that 1t 1s adapted to fit into the annular seating groove formed in the pressure chamber base plate and to be clamped therein by the cap plate of the regulator, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1, is a central vertical sectional elevation of a regulator of the type for whlch my improved diaphragm is intended, showlng its position in and with relation thereto;

lgig. 2, is a face view of the diaphragm; an

Fig. 3, is a sectional detail showing the run bead formed by wrapping the edge of the diaphragm around an annular cylindrical core;

Fig. 4, is a view like unto Fig. 3, showing it) mpdification in the core wrap of the rim Fig. 5, is a sectional detail of the rim bead as formed by turning the edge of the diaphragm over upon itself in the shape of a tight spiral;

Fig 6, is a similar view showing a modification in which the rim bead is formed by folding over the edge of the diaphragm upon itself;

Fig. 7, is a sectional detail showing a hollow rim bead formed by inturning the edge of the diaphragm.

In this type of regulator, as shown in Fig 1, the diaphragm D, is clamped peripherally against the rim 5 of the pressure chamber base plate B, by means of a cap plate C,-screw bolts 0, and nut 0, being used as the securing means. The base plate B, of the fluid pressure chamber 5, is formed with the usual threaded nipple 5 for engagement with a pipe or other connection with a source of fluid pressure, which latter enters the said pressure chamber Z), through the inlet passage 6 in said nipp The plunger P, which transmits the motion derived from the diaphragm D, to the valve or damper actuating lever L, is connected with the latter by a coupling link K; and said lever passes through the fulcrum link F, and is connected therewith in the usual manner by means of a set screw f. 0, is a stop rest on the cover C, for the support of the lever L, and the plunger P, when the diaphragm D, is deflated, as set forth in my aforesaid concurrent application No. 273,905. 6 is an annular groove formed in the rim 6 of the pressure chamber base plate B, for the seating of the annular peripheral reinforcement bead d, of the diaphragm D; and 0 is a corresponding coincidental capping groove formed in the inner face of the cover C, also for engagement with said peripheral reinforce ment bead d, of the diaphragm D. Thus the peripheral reinforcement bead d, of the diaphragm conforms also to the purpose and requirements of a packing and securing ring by means of which the diaphragm is securely held in centralized position within and between the pressure chamber base plate B, and the cover plate C.

It is obvious that the peripheral reinforcement bead d, of the diaphragm D, may be formed in various ways and of various shapes without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention in this respect, the gist of the invention consisting essentially in providing the edge of the diaphragm with a circumscribing rim bead of greater cross section than the thickness of the sheet of metal constituting the body of the diaphragm, which is preferably made of a relatively thin sheet of copper corrugated to attain a maximum of strength, elasticity and resilience fora given size and weight of plate.

Where it is desired to have the peripheral reinforcement bead d, compressible to a high degree, the simple turning over of the edge of the diaphragm D, upon itself, as in Fig. 7, will answer the purpose; or a folding over thereof as in Fig. 6. Where a less compressible marginal reinforcement is required, the edge of the disk D, may be turned over into a tight spiral, as in Fig. 5, or the edge of the disk D, may be upset around an annular core (Z, of suitable material, prefeTably metallic wire, or a wire formed of an alloy adapted to the purpose. Where a relatively soft core d, is used, as of lead wire, the marginal reinforcement bead cl,aifords an ideal means for attaining a tight, hermetical seal between said edge of the diaphragm D, and the rim 6 of the pressure chamber base plate B.

Thus my marginal reinforcement bead d,

of the diaphragm D, not only affords adequate means for securing the latter in place in the regulator casing as above set forth, but it also frames and stiffens the diaphragm to such an extent that, with reasonable care in packing, transportation and manipulation, it may be advantageously manufaw tured and used a replacement for old or defective diaphragms, since it combines in a unitary structure both elastic resilient disk and securing and packing rim. Hence, when used as a replacement it is only necessary to remove the bolts and nuts 0, c, from the regulator, raise the cap plate C, remove the old diaphragm and substitute the replacement- D, and then again secure the cap plate C, to the pressure chamber base plate B,-all simple operations not requiring skilled or expert labor.

lVhat I claim as my invention and desire secure by Letters latent is, l. As an article of manufacture, an integral replacement diaphragm of the character designated, comprising a. corrugated plate of sheet metal formed with a solid peripheral reinforcement rim bead substantially round in cross section and of greater aggregate thickness than the body of the plate, said peripheral. reinforcement rim bead also constituting packing and securing means by which the diaphragm may be firmly held in centralized position between the base and cover of a regulator, as set forth.

2. As an article of manufacture, a. one piece diaphragm of the character designated, comprising a corrugated plate of sheet metal having an integral peripheral reinforcement rim bead essentially round in cross section and formed by upsetting the edge of the plate upon itself, said reinforce ment rim bead being of greater aggregate thickness than the body of the sheet and constituting packing and securing means by which the diaphragm may be firmly held in centralized position. between the base and cover of a regulator as set forth.

3. As an article of manufacture, a. diaphragm of the character designated, comprising a corrugated plate of sheet metal formed with a peripheral reinforcement rim bead essentially round in cross section and of greater aggregate thickness than the body of the plate, said rim bead consisting of an annular core around which the edge of the diaphragm is upset to form conjointly a circumscribing plate frame which also constitutes packing and securing means by which the diaphragm may be firmly held in centralized position between the base and cover of a regulator, as set forth.

4:. As an article of manufacture, a di: phragm of the character designated, comprising a corrugated plate of sheet metal formed with a peripheral reinforcement rim by which the diaphragm may be firmly held bead essentially round in cross section and in centralized position between the base and 10 of greater aggregate thickness than the body cover of a regulator, as set forth.

of the plate, said rim bead consisting of an annular core of lead wire around which the WILLIAM HODGSON. edge of the diaphragm is upset to form con- Witnesses: jointly a circumscribing plate frame which GEO. WM. MIATT,

also constitutes packing and securing means DOROTHY MIATT. 

